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f AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY REV. JOSEPH SILVERMAN. D. D., 1 

^ RABBI OF TEMPLE EMANU-EL, BEFORE THE EMPIRE ^ 

g STATE SOCIETY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN f 

§, REVOLUTION, ON FEBRUARY f 

% 20th, 1906. f 

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THE JEW AS A PATRIOT, 



An Address Delivered by Rev. Joseph Silverman, D.D., Rabbi of Temple 

Emanu=EI, Before the Empire State Society, Sons of the 

American Revolution, on February 20th, 1906. 



The persistent existence of anti-semitism is attested by many evi- 
dences that can be gathered from ancient and modern history. It is a 
matter of great regret that comparatively few voices. are raised against 
it by those who preach love of God and humanity. The horrors of 
Kishineff and Odessa are sufficiently recent to still cause us to shudder 
and the reports of impending massacres in Russia give very little hope 
of a speedy solution of the Jewish question in the domains of the Czar. 

The most reprehensible feature of all these persecutions is the un- 
founded and malicious charge that the Jew regards himself as a stranger 
in the land where he resides and that he never was and never can be a 
true patriot. Often has this false accusation been refuted, but it is re- 
peated again and again with unabated viciousness and it requires there- 
fore constant vigilance and earnest rejoinder to preserve the fair name of 
Israel from the worst forms of pollution. 

The fact is that Jews are, by nature and by training, by virtue 
of their religion, their precepts and practice, exemplary patriots. This 
statement can be easily substantiated by illustrations drawn from the 
literature and history of Israel. I can not, however, within the limits of 
this address make an exhaustive treatment of the subject, but I shall 
present to you the salient arguments to prove the Jew's claim to a 
place on the roll of honor of the world's patriots and heroes. 

Patriotism is taught with much force and clearness in the Old Testa- 
ment. The God of Israel is not a tribal God but a universal Deity. He 
is the creator of Heaven and Earth. The Prophet Malachi says "Have 
we not all one God? Has not one Father created us all ? Why then shall 
we deal treacherously — one man against his brother 9 " Israel believes in 



one Grod and one humanity. Moses taught "Thou shalt love thy fellow 
man as thyself." "There shall be one law" said he "for all, for the 
native and the stranger." "Ye shall have just weights and just bal- 
ances." Israel was commanded not to vex the stranger, but to treat 
him as one born in the land — for Israel shall remember that they were 
strangers in a strange land. The Ten Commandments were given not 
to Israel alone but to the world. And Moses enjoins Israel to 
assist the poor and to succor the sick. The Mosaic law did not contem- 
plate exclusiveness but sought to inculcate a love of all the people of the 
land, To curse God and the King was especially forbidden and was 
punishable with death (compare Gen. XXII. 28 and 1 Kings XXI. 13). 
Solomon prays that the Temple of Jerusalem may be a House of Prayer 
for all people and beseeches God to harken to the petitions of the stranger. 
During the exile in Babylon the prophet urged the people to seek the wel- 
fare of the city whither God banished them and to pray in its behalf. 
He besought them to serve the Chadeans and remain in the land (com- 
pare Jer. XXIX. 17 and XL. 9). In the second Temple sacrifices were 
offered twice daily for Caesar and for the people, and, for ages, prayers 
have been uttered in all synagogues in behalf of the government. 

There are several notable biblical examples of the devotion of Jews 
to non-Jewish Kings. Joseph serves Pharaoh and the Egyptian with 
unabated fidelity. Mordecai, Esther, many of the prophets, Daniel and 
his friends, as well as, Ezra and Nehemiah did not swerve from their 
loyalty to their heathen sovereigns. 

Considering the obliquity and persecution to which the Jew has been 
subjected, it is surprising to find that, in some countries, he is still a 
patriot. The Rabbinical writers imbued with the spirit of the Scriptures 
(0. T.) enjoined respect for the law of the land. A few of their sayings 
are quite significant as teaching their position. "He who rebels against 
his country deserves death." "Pray for the welfare of the kingdom, 
for, were it not for that, men would swallow each other alive." 

In view of the fact that Israel was so often persecuted we might 
have expected a different attitude. Judging from the attitude of other 
oppressed people, we might have expected that the Jew, too, would be- 
come indifferent, if not hostile to a country where he suffered untold 
wrongs and injustice. But the astounding fact will not down, that the 
Jew is loyal even to the government that persecutes him, so strong is his 
latent patriotism. And when his country shoAVS him the slightest recogni- 
tion, grants him some rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, 
his devotion knows no bounds. 



It has been said that every country has the Jews it deserves. I 
would add that every country where anti-semitism prevails has better 
Jews than it deserves. Slavery degrades a people ; liberty ennobles. 
Slavery engenders ignorance and superstition; liberty leads to education 
and enlightenment. But notwithstanding the pernicious influences of per- 
secution, Jews have never lost their individuality and idealism. 

Let us, however, dip into history for a few facts. Rome owes the 
Jews a debt of gratitude for having in the war against Mithridates 
turned the tide of battle in favo;* of the Roman arms. Israel has, how- 
ever, many a bitter recollection of the Jthralldrom it suffered at the hands 
of the Roman government and people. When Naples in the sixth century 
was besieged by Belisarius the Jews rendered valiant service in saving 
the town. Bohemia also can attest to the bravery of the Jews who assist- 
ed in expelling the brigands that infested her domains. Often in the 
middle ages have Israelites, serving in the armies of various nations, 
through their valor, been promoted from the ranks to positions of honor 
and responsibility, especially in the armies of Portugal, Germany and 
England. In 1586 it is reported the Hebrews of Prague rushed to the 
defence of that city and for their meritorious bravery were presented 
with a banner of distinction by the authorities. In Surinam where there 
exists a large Jewish community, Jews organized a militia company and 
on various occasions rendered valuable services to the colony. 

In Spain, a country that Jews have no reason to love, they fought 
as bravely for the government as any of its proudest knights and 
especially in great numbers (by the thousands) under Alphonso IV. and 
VIII. Their services must indeed have been remarkable if Alphonso 
XI of Castile felt impelled to reward their fidelity by setting aside for 
their use a village called ''Aldea de los Judeos." Jews defended Don 
Pedro against the pretender Don Enrico, claiming that God would not 
permit that they should deny obedience to their natural lord, Don Pedro 
or to his rightful successor." Don Enrico, when successful, through the 
fortunes of war, did not punish those Jews, but praised them for their 
love and fidelity to the King whom they had so loved and declared that 
he would himseK endeavor to gain their love and esteem. 

In Germany where anti-semitism flourishes, especially in the so-called 
higher circles, Jews have given evidence of an almost unprecedented 
patriotism. No country owes a greater debt of gratitude to the Jew 
than the German Empire. In her campaigns of 1813-14, out of a small 
Jewish population, 263 volunteers and 80 regulars enlisted in the army. 
In 1815 the Prussian Chancellor felt constrained to acknowledge that 
'Hhe history of our late war with France records that the Jews have, by 



their faithful allegiance to the State, proved worthy of the equal rights 
conferred upon them. The young men fought bravely by the side of their 
Christian fellow-citizens and the Jewish women vied with the Christian 
in various patriotic sacrifices." And yet Jews were at that time treat- 
ed with contempt, and injustice, being refused permission to serve as 
teachers or jurors or to practice law (or medicine) until they were 
baptized. The Jews of Frankfort were subjected to even worse indigni- 
ties. And it was not until 1869 that the laws of the North German Con- 
federacy gave them some relief from their heavy burdens. Jewish 
scholars of the German Empire have contributed greatly towards the 
upbuilding of their art, science, philosophy and literature. And it must 
not be forgotten that in the Franco-Prussian war, several thousand Jews 
were enrolled on the side of Prussia. Many fought for France. Some 
became distinguished on each side and received the Iron Cross or Legion 
of Honor for feats of courage displayed on the battlefield. 

During the wars in the Orient in 1877 and 1878 the Generals Heyman 
and Lozaroff were honored for distinguished services. 

In France the Jews had some protection from Napoleon. Still when 
he convened the great Sanhedrim of Jewish notables in Paris in July 1806, 
some of the questions Napoleon asked were, whether French Jews regarded 
France as their country and Frenchmen as their brethern, and whether 
they considered the laws of the State binding upon them. Most of the 
members of the Sanhedrim could not listen to those questions without 
pain at the thought that their patriotism and their attachment to France 
should be doubted, notwithstanding the fact that Jews had attested 
their love of country by shedding their blood on the battlefield. The 
questions were, however, seriously considered and answered in the af- 
firmative, reference being made to biblical and talmudical law to show 
that Judaism had always emphasized loyalty to one's country, brother- 
hood and humanity. 

Napoleon had frequent occasions to esteem his Jewish soldiers very 
highly and two of them, Soult and Mossena, became Marshals of the 
Empire. 

In the Hungarian Revolution more than 35,000 Jews enlisted in the 
army of Kussuth and bravely fought for the liberty of their country. 

The first soldiers who stormed Plevna it is said were Roumanian 
Jews and the generals on both sides were Jews. Even at this day 
Roumanian Jews, notwithstanding the bad treatment they receive, flock to 
their national standards, just as the Russian Jews, despite all persecutions, 
remain loyal to their government in time of its need. 



In Italy 1.4 per cent, of all Jews were found in the army, while 
only 1.1 per cent, of all other citizens were enlisted. Of the whole 
Italian army only one in twelve became an officer, while of the Jewish 
soldier one of every five is an officer. 

English Jews are especially noted for their patriotism. The life 
of King George III. who was shot at, in the Drury Lane Theatre, was 
saved by a Jew, named Dyte, the grandfather of Dr. Dyte. This occnred 
not many years after the readmission of Jews into England and was re- 
garded by some as an act of Providence in recognition of the humane con- 
duct accorded the Jews in permitting them again to settle in England. 
In the Chartist movement in 1848, in the Fenian and Reform riots 
of 1866-7-8 the Jews were on the side of public order and aided in main- 
taining the constitution. The English Volunteer Army can boast of hav- 
ing enrolled several thousands of Jewish soldiers, many of whom saw 
active service in the last Anglo-African war. 

Dr. Russel has been quoted as saying in his work on India that 
Captain da Costa, a Jew, had performed valiant deeds for his govern- 
ment and had died from^ wounds received in battle. In the British 
army several hundreds of Jews obtained distinction as officers. Their 
names can not all be mentioned in this brief address and I, therefore, 
refer only by name to Major-General Goldsmid, Lieutenant-General 
Adolphus and Ximines and to Lieutenant Branday and Col. Goldsmid. 
So much for the patriotism that the Jew has manifested in European 
countries. It is but a brief sketch and should only be regarded as an in-' 
troduction into the history of Israel's achievements in Europe. I desire to 
speak more especially of the patriotism of the Jew in America. 

The Jews living here as natives or as immigrants feel an unbounded 
love for this country. Our attachment for America is not of recent birth. 
Jews may justly claim to have had a part in the discovery of America. 

Some Hebrews advanced money to Ferdinand and Isabella in order 
to enable them to fit out the vessels for Columbus. At least two Jews, 
Louis de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez, are said to have accompanied the 
great discoverer. 

Many Jews settled in Brazil where they lived for years until ex- 
pelled in 1652 when they emigrated to North America and landed in N. Y. 
where they were granted the right of settlement in 1655. They did not 
however receive political liberty in New York until 1777. It was also 
this State that first accorded them religious liberty. 

In 1765 opposition to England began to crystalize and at once Jews 
sided with the colonists and signed the non-importation resolutions. In 
the colonial army of America there were many co-religionists. As far back 



as 1769 a corps of volunteers, consisting cfiielTy of Hebrews was formed 
in Charleston, S. C. and fought under Gen. Moultrie. 

The most prominent of all the early Jewish patriots in American 
was Haym Solomon whose fame has not heen dimmed by the flight of 
over a century. He deserves more than a passing notice. He voluntarily 
rendered valuable services to this country as a secret agent of General 
Washington ; was apprehended, imprisoned, inhumanly treated and was: 
sentenced to military death. His release was however secured and he 
then devoted himself untiringly to the cause of relieving the financial em- 
barassment of the Continental Army and Congress, to the extent, it is said,, 
of over $600,000. His untimely death brought on by his gi'eat exertions 
in those troublous times was not only a great loss to his family but a 
calamity to the colonists struggling for Liberty. Dr. Jared Sparks, an 
authority on the data of the American Revolution, has declared that a 
great part of the success that Robert Morris attained in his financial 
schemes for the young, government of America was due to the skill, 
ability and patriotic services of Haym Solomon, The noble example of 
such patriotism was followed by many others, notably by Samuel Lyoh,, 
of N. Y., Isaac Moses, of Philadelphia, Manuel Mordecai Noah of South 
Carolina. Special mention should also be made of Col. Isaac Frank, who 
served as aide-de-camp to "Washington and Philip Moses Russel who was 
commended by Washington for his assiduous and faithful attentions to 
the sick and wounded. 

An interesting incident may be quoted to illustrate the spirit of the 
Hebrew of the revolutionary period. A Mr. Gomez of New York re- 
quested of a member of the Continental CongTess to procure for him a 
commission to form a company of soldiers for the army. The friend 
remonstrated with him on the score of age, claiming that a man of 68 
years was too old to go to war. "But," replied Mr, Gomez, highly indig- 
nant, "I can stop a bullet as well as a younger man." During the 
revolution there were many Jewish patriots in the South, as for instance, 
Mordecai Sheftall, Commissary General in Georgia who defended Sav- 
annah. David S. Franks was an aide-de-camp for Arnold, but he did 
not join the traitor and later testified to the innocence of Mrs. Arnold. 
He and she were both acquitted and he became U. S. Messenger to Jay 
and Franklin who were then in Europe. Washington had several Jewish 
aides-de-camp, notably Col. Isaac Franks and Mayer Moses. 

It is impossible to mention all the distinguished Jewish soldiers and 
civilians of that interesting period of American History. 

In all the subsequent wars of our country, in that of 1812, the Mexican 
war, the Civil war, the Spanish-American war, thousands upon thousands 



of Jews fongh.t bravely in defence of their country. There names can 
not here be recalled, but they may be learned by referring to Hon, Simon 
Wolf's book on "^'The American Jew as a Patriot." 

Such is a mere outline of what the patriotic Jew has done in behalf of 
his particular country and it proves that nowhere are there better soldiers 
or citizens than Israelites. The Jew is by nature a lover of his country. 
And his country is not Palestine or Jerusalem as some would have the 
world believe, but the land where he resides. There is no Jewish nation 
let it be said again, Jews are only a religious community. We form no 
nation within the nation. Here in this land Jews are as truly American 
as any American, 

Our patriotism, moreover, is not exhibited only in the army and 
navy. There are many other spheres of useful labor in which one may 
prove genuine love of country. The Jew is to be found working loyally 
and devotedly in all those many fields of activity whether municipal, 
political, charitable,' or otherwise, which go to make up the fabric of 
public life in our country. The Jews support the great charitable in- 
stitutions. They see to it that Jewish immigrants and Jewish sick and 
poor do not become public charges. If a fund is to be raised for the re- 
lief of any part of our country, or any other country, Jews contribute their 
share and often more than their share. They serve in political parties 
accept public office and appointment on juror's duty and act wherever 
a citizen is called upon to act. They are found in the legislature, con- 
gress and parliaments of the World, 

Jews do not act as a unit in political matters, but only as citizens 
and belong to various parties in accordance with personal preferences. 
The Jew as such is not a political factor and often frowns down every at- 
tempt to utilize a so-called "Jewish vote" in any particular campaign. 
In fact there is no Jewish vote and no one can truthfully declare that he 
can deliver it. 

We love o^lr country. We will labor for its welfare and defend, 
even with our lives, its integrity and honor. 



OFFICERS 1906-7, 



PRESIDENT, 

William Allen Marble. 

FIPxST VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Hon. Cornelius A. Piigsley. 

SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Richard T. Davies. 

THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Frank B. Steele. 

SECRETARY, 

Louis Annin Ames. 

TREASURER, 

James de la Montanye. 

REGISTRAR, 

Teunis D. Huntting. 

HISTORIAN, 
William K. Wickes. 

CHAPLAIN, 
Rev. Frank Oliver Hall, D. D. 

MANAGERS, 

Walter S. Logan, John BeW. Mowris, 

William H. Kelly, George D. Bangs, 

Dr. Frank E. Caldwell, John H. Burroughs, 

William E. F. Smith, William M. Crane, 

Capt. Charles A. DuBois, George H. Denny, 

William S. Kitchell, Col. William A. Crombie, 

Richard H. Roberts, Martin S. Allen, 

William W. J. Warren, Col. Edgar S. Dudley, 

Rufus I. Shea, Douglass W. Mabee, 

Dr. Israel C. Jones, Col. John W. Vrooman, 

Eugene A. Rowland. 



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